Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. –Philippians 4:8
From the Tabletalk devotional for December 21, 2011:
...Paul is telling Christians to think on excellent things they find in the surrounding culture. We have an explicit teaching here that believers are free to enjoy the good things around us even if they do not come from an explicitly Christian source. We are to appreciate the truth and beauty we see even in the art, literature, science, science, politics, music, technology, and so forth produced by unbelievers. All human beings are made in the image of a true and beautiful God, and though this image was marred in the fall, it was not totally eradicated (Gen. 1:26-27; 9:6). Thus, although God-haters try to suppress the truth, they are never totally successful. Despite their best efforts, they do arrive at the knowledge of at least some truth from God's revelation in nature (Rom. 1:18-32). The hearts of unconverted people may be ugly in sin, but can and do often see and create beauty.
What is true, good, excellent, and so forth, however, is not merely in the eyes of the beholder. The which we are to approve and think on must measure up to the Gospel of God and His work to make all things new. That which is true and beautiful does not contradict the image of Christ...
...We are to live in a manner that is distinct from the world, but we are not to be separatistic in that we are allowed to enjoy only self-consciously Christian authors, musicians, artists, and so forth. If it is true and beautiful, it is worth think on, no matter its source.
From the Tabletalk devotional for December 21, 2011:
...Paul is telling Christians to think on excellent things they find in the surrounding culture. We have an explicit teaching here that believers are free to enjoy the good things around us even if they do not come from an explicitly Christian source. We are to appreciate the truth and beauty we see even in the art, literature, science, science, politics, music, technology, and so forth produced by unbelievers. All human beings are made in the image of a true and beautiful God, and though this image was marred in the fall, it was not totally eradicated (Gen. 1:26-27; 9:6). Thus, although God-haters try to suppress the truth, they are never totally successful. Despite their best efforts, they do arrive at the knowledge of at least some truth from God's revelation in nature (Rom. 1:18-32). The hearts of unconverted people may be ugly in sin, but can and do often see and create beauty.
What is true, good, excellent, and so forth, however, is not merely in the eyes of the beholder. The which we are to approve and think on must measure up to the Gospel of God and His work to make all things new. That which is true and beautiful does not contradict the image of Christ...
...We are to live in a manner that is distinct from the world, but we are not to be separatistic in that we are allowed to enjoy only self-consciously Christian authors, musicians, artists, and so forth. If it is true and beautiful, it is worth think on, no matter its source.
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